Control mechanism.



E. T. SHAW.

CONTROL MECHANISM. I

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 12. 1914.

Patented 00t.26,1915.

Fig.5.

Invehtdr: Edward T. fihaw,

His fitter-11%;.

COLUMBM PLANOGRAPH c0, WASHINGTON. D. cw

1. rED s'rn'rs ATENT orrion I EDWARD T. snnw, or rrr'rsrrn'nn, lvrnssaonusnrrs, ASSIGNOR 'ro GENERAL nmacrmc COMPANY, A oonronarronor NEW YO K.

con'rRoLMEoHANIsM. v

To all whomz'tmayooncern: r j

Be itgknown that I, EDWARD T. SHAW, a

citizen-iofthe United,Sta tes, residing at Pittsfield, .1; county of Berkshire, State of Massachusetts, 'have invente'd" certain new and useful Improvements in Control Mecha-.

nisms, of :Whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to acontrol mechanism :for an electric motor,*andvmore-especiallyxto a device for starting, stopping, and

controllingthe'speed of a motor.

Where electric motors are usedlfor driving winding machines, looms, sewing-machines, and other similar-devices, 1t 1s'des1rable to be able to readily control the. speed of the motor, and. is important to be ableto quickly stop the motor to prevent overrunning and its obvious-disadvantages. When applied to winding machines wherev yarn is being transferredfrom one set of spools to another spool, an arrangement is commonly provided so that the driven spool is stopped In suchaniin stance, it is important that the stopping whenever the yarn breaks.

take place before the brokenen'd has become embedded in the yarn on the receiving spool, and, therefore, that the motor be positively and quickly stopped. On the other handy if the stopping is toorapid, the momentum ofthe delivering" spools may be suflicient to throw out an amount. of slack suflicient to" cause a tangle. It islalso required, therefore,

' that the length of time utilized for stopping be accurately controllable.

One object of-my' invention is, then, -to= devise a simple andcompact control mecha-: nism for readily starting. and stopping an electric motor and controlling'its speed Another object of my invention is to-devise a control mechanism for quickly and positively stopping a motor.

Another object is to arrange such a mechanism so that the motor Willbe stopped by dynamic braking, and so that the, dynamic;

braking action, and hence the length'aoftime utilized for stopping, may be accurately controlled;

Still another object is to produce a device for stopping a motor by supplying "an electr motive force to drive it in the reverse direction and'then opening one of the motor circuits.

In'the practical embodiment of my inven- Specification of LettersPatent. I Pat nt t 2 1915 i Application filed December 12, 1914. Serial No. 876,826. i

I tion, I employ some device for controlling the speed; of the motor in whicha control lever may be. moved from a neutral'position in .either direction and thereby vary the speed, but with opposite directions of rota- 1 tion. This control lever maybe attached to the brush shifting yoke'of' a'repulsion motor, or to a suitably designed rheostat arm Y in the field circuit of a direct current motor.

The lever: may be biased into the position for rotation in the reversedirection; i. e., the directionopposite to thatnorinally used, by meanslof a spring acting on'it. f A switch,

conveniently located onthe motor frame, is

the switch arm to open the motor circuit. It

will be seen, then, that amovement of the controllever to the position for rotation in the r'eversedirection will quickly and posi-.

tively I stop .the' motor by dynamically brakmgthe'sameuntil it starts to rotate'backward and then opening the motor circuit. The degree of braking action and hence the timeused in stopping will be controlled by limiting the range of movement 'and hence the final position' ofthe control lever.

One arrangement of my device is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sideelev-ation, partly in section, of a repulsion motor with my device applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectionon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow, and: Fig. Bis a diagrammatic view of my control" mechanism applied to a repulsionmotor.

Forthe sake of illustration, I have shown my control mechanism applled to a. repulas the motor rotates in the forward direction sion motor having a rotor 10 whose commutator is shown at 11, the two being supported 011 the shaft 12, which has a bearing in the removable end 13 of the motor casing or frame 14;. Projecting inwardly from the casing end 13 is a bearing sleeve 15 surrounding the shaft.

The member for controlling the speed and direction of rotation of the motor will preferably be provided with a control lever 20 projecting through a slot 21 in the motor casing. This lever may be used for manual control, or may be suitably attached to other meclmnism on the machine to which the motor is applied. For the purpose of controlling the speed of a repulsion motor, a brush-shifting yoke, such as is here shown at 22, carrying brushes which are held against the commutator by suitable springs, is commonly used, and, for the sake of illustration, I have applied the control lever 20 of my mechanism to such a brush-yoke. As is common in this type of motor, the brushes are short-circuited, as will be seen from Fig. I have provided automatic means for urging the control lever and the attached brush-yoke to a position for rotation in the reverse direction, and have here shown it as comprising a spring 2% attached by means of suitable studs 25 to the brush-yoke and the motor casing. The range of movement of the control lever is limited by the slot 21. By properly designing this slot, it would be possible to determine the stopping position of the lever, and hence the degree of braking torque applied when the lever is moved to this position. In order that this stopping position may be accurately regulated, however, I have provided a stop screw 26, passing through a lug 27 on the motor casing and held in position by a lock nut 28. This screw will ordinarily take the place of the end of the slot and determine the braking action. 1

In one of the motor circuits, and here shown as in the exciting circuit, is located a switch of suitable construction. This switch will preferably comprise insulated spring-pressed contacts 30 in the motor casing 13, which are provided with wire-attaching means 30. The movable element of my switch consists of a switch arm 31 rotatably mounted on the bearing sleeve 15 and provided at its extremity with a contact plate 32 for bridging the s pringpressed contacts 30. This contact plate 32 is insulated from the switch arm 31, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1. For a purpose to be later explained, a stud 35 is provided on the brush-yoke in a position for engagement with the movable arm 31. when the arm and yoke are in the relative positions shown in Fig. 2. A ratchet 40, also rotatably mounted on the bearing sleeve 15, is pinned to the movable arm 31 of the switch. Cooperating with the ratchet 40 are pawls 50 which are carried by the rotor of the motor in any desired manner, and are here shown as pivotally mounted on a supporting member 51 which is keyed to the motor shaft 12. Suitable guides 52 and springs 53 serve to press the pawls toward the ratchet.

I have here illustrated and described my device as it would be applied to a repulsion motor where the brush axis is so located with reference to the exciting winding that only a slight range of movement to either side of a neutral axis is necessary in order to bring the motor to maximum speed, while further movement away from the axis will decrease the speed. With such an arrangement the direction of rotation of the motor coincides with the direction of movement of the control lever as it is moved away from the neutral axis. As will be well understood, however, there is another neutral axis which is ninety electrical degrees removed from the first axis. Now, movement of the control lever away from this axis will start the motor at low speed, and further movement away from the axis will increase the speed. The direction of rotation, however, will be opposite to the direction of movement of the control lever as it leaves the neutral axis. As will be seen from the description of the operation of the device, it is desirable, although not necessary, that the closing movement of the switch shall coincide with the forward direction of rotation in order that the opening of the switch may be effected by directly connecting the motor shaft and switch arm by'means of pawl and ratchet upon rotation in the reverse direction. It is further desirable that movement of the control lever to the position for forward rotation shall close the switch. Suitable means of connecting the two is, therefore, provided, and in the case here illustrated, where the movement of the lever coincides with the forward direction of rotation and hence with the closing movement of the switch, this means takes the simple form of pin 35.

The operation of my control mechanism will be most readily understood by reference to the diagrammatic illustration in Fig. 3, where the control lever has been shown in its released position. For clearness of illustration, this view shows a spring 21' acting upon the control lever which is directly at tached to the lever, but in a position to effeet the same movementas the s ring 24 in Fig. 2. If it is desired to start the motor, the control lever will be moved against the action of the spring from the stopping position (R) (see Fig. 2)which is the position for rotation in the reverse direction at some determined speech-to the starting position (S)which is the position for maximum speed in the forward direction.

creased. and increased at will within its range ofcontrol for the forward direction of rotation by movement of the lever between the positions and If, however, the control lever should be released,

. the automatic means consisting of the spring 2i will move the lever to cause the motor to run in the reverse direction, the range of movement of the control lever being limited by the slot 21 in themotor casing.

Obviously, the spring 24- may be omitted and the same ,result effected by manual movement ofthe lever to the position By bringing the lever to the position (R), I

-, haveshitfted the brushes across the neutral axis to a position Where the machine starts to act as a dynamo and generates a counterelectromotive force, thereby dynamically braking the machine and bringing it to a standstill. The exciting current is still applied, however, and so the motor actually reverses its direction of rotation, turning a fraction of a revolution sutlicient to open the switch, and then stops. During the rotation of the motor in the forward direction the pawls are normally inoperative as they have been slipping over the teeth on the ratchet L0, or have been thrown outwardly by centrifugal force against the tension of the springs 53 and held away from the ratchet. If, however, the motor starts to rotate in the reverse direction, these pawls will be drawn inwardly and engage the teeth of the ratchet 40, turning the same and its attached switch arm so that the switch in the motor circuit is opened and the power supply cutoff. The rotation of the switch arm will be limited by contact with the stud 35 on the brush-yoke, so that in no case can there be a rotation in the reverse direction for more than a fraction of a revolution.

used in; stopping, and hence the number of revolutions o t-the motor made after the lever is moved to the stopping position. The length of the range of movement of the brushes, the speed with which they are moved to the stopping position, and the fact of operation through the high speed axis orthe low speed axis are all determining factors but it has been found by test that they are negligible'in comparison with variation of the stopping position of the.

control-lever. I have, therefore, provided an adjustable stop whereby this position may be accurately determined and regulated. This makes it possible to use my motorin any one of a number of applications where they conditions require a variation in the time used in stopping;

It will thus be seen that I have provided a simple and compact control mechanism for readily starting and controlling the speed of an electricmotor and for stopping the motor quickly and positively by causing it to start to rotate in the reverse direction. I conceive, however, that various modifications and rearrangements of'my particular mechanism may be made within the scope of myinvention, and I, accordingly, do not desire to be limited to the exact details shown, but seek to cover in the accompanying claims all devices within the true scope and spiritof my invention. I

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent o-fzthe United States, is

1. Aicontrolling and stopping device comprising a movablemember for controlling the speed of the motor in a forward direction and reversing its direction of rotation, and means whereby the motor circuit is automatically opened when the motor starts to rotate in the reverse direction upon the movement of the member to reverse position.

2. A controlling and-stopping device combiased to the reverse position, and means whereby the motor circuit is automatically I opened when the motor starts to rotate in the reverse direction upon the movement of the member to reverse position in response to its bias.

3'. A control mechanism. for an electric motor comprising movable means for controlling the speed and direction of rotation of the motor, automatic means biasing said movable means toward the position for rotation in one direction, a switch in the motor circuit, and normally inoperative means for opening said switch to stop the motor after said automatic means has become efiective.

4:. A controlmechanism for an electric motor comprising movable means for controllingthe speed and direction of rotation of the motor, automatic means biasing said movable'qmeans toward the position for rotation in one direction, a switch in the motor circuit, connections between said movable means and said switch for closing the same, and normally inoperatlve means for opening said switch to stop the motor after said automatic means has become effective.

5. A control mechanism for an electric motor comprising a. switch in the motor circuit, a speed control member, connections between said member and switch whereby the switch may be closed to start the motor in one direction, and means operated by the mot-or to open the switch upon a reversal in the direction of rotation of said motor.

6. A control mechanism for an electric motor comprising movable means for controlling the speed and direction of rotation of the motor, automatic means biasing said movable means toward the position for rotation in one direction, a switch in the motor circuit, and normally inoperative means for opening said switch upon rotation of the motor in this direction.

7. A control mechanism for an electric motor comprising movable means for controlling the speed and direction of rotation of the motor, automatic means biasing said movable means toward the position for rotation in one direction, adjustable means for regulating the latter position, a switch in the motor circuit, and normally inoperative means for opening said switch upon rotation of the motor in this direction.

8. In combination, a dynamo electric commutator machine, brushes for said machine, a brush-shifting yoke carrying said brushes and capable of a range of movement to control the speed in opposite directions, a spring urging said yoke in one direction, a switch in a circuit of said machine comprising a switch arm mounted to rotate around the shaft of said machine, means operatively related to said yoke for engaging said arm to close said switch at a predetermined position of the yoke, and means carried by the machine to open said switch upon rotation of the machine in a predetermined direction.

9. In combination, a dynamo-electric commutator machine, brushes for said machine, a brush-shifting yoke carrying said brushes and capable of a. range of movement to control the speed in opposite directions, a spring urging said yoke in one direction, adjustable means for limiting the movement of said yoke in the latter direction, a switch in a circuit of said machine comprising a switch arm mounted to rotate around the shaft of said machine, means operatively related to said yoke for engaging said arm toclose said switch at a predetermined position of the yoke, and means carried by the machine to open said switch upon rotation of the machine in a predetermined direction.

10. In combination, a dynamo electric commutator machine, said machine including a shaft and a frame, the latter provided with a bearing sleeve surrounding said shaft, a brush yoke rotatably mounted on said sleeve, a spring urging said yoke in one direction, a switch arm rotatably mounted on said sleeve, a cooperating contact carried by said frame, a stud on said yoke in operative relation to said arm, a ratchet carried by said switch arm and surrounding said sleeve, spring-pressed pawls carried by said shaft and adapted to engage said ratchet, for the purpose described.

11. In combination, a dynamo electric commutator machine, said machine including a shaft and a frame, the latter provided with a bearing sleeve surrounding said shaft, a brush yoke rotatably mounted on said sleeve, a spring urging said yoke in one direction, adjustable means for limiting the movement of said yoke in the latter direction, a switch arm rotatably mounted on said sleeve, a coiiperating contact carried by said frame, a stud on said yoke in operative relation to said arm, a ratchet carried by said switch arm and surrounding said sleeve, spring-pressed pawls carried by said shaft and adapted to engage said ratchet, for the purpose described.

12. A control mechanism for an electric motor comprising a control member adapted and arranged to vary the speed of said mo tor with opposite directions of rotation when moved to opposite sides of a neutral axis, a switch controlling the motor circuit, and means connecting said switch with said member so that the switch will be closed when the member is moved into the position for starting the motor in one direction and will remain closed upon further movement of said member in either direction on the same side of the neutral 13. In combination, a repulsion motor, a brush-shifting yoke therefor movable across a neutral axis, a switch controlling one of the motor circuits, and means connecting said switch with said yoke so that the switch will be closed when the yoke is moved into the position for starting the motor in one direction and will remain closed upon further movement of said yoke in either direction on the same side of the neutral axis.

14. A. control mechanism for an electric motor comprising a rotatable member, a switch operatively connected thereto, a pawl carried by said motor arranged in operative relation to said member and adapted to move said member when the motor rotates in one direction, and to be held out of engagement therewith by centrifugal force when the motor rotates in the other direction.

15. In combination, an electric motor com prising a rotor, a switch in the circuit of aid motor comprising a fixed contact and a movable contact, a ratchet attached to said movable contact, and pawls carried by said rotor adapted to engage said ratchet to open said switch in one direction of rotation of the motor.

16. In combination, an electric motor com- 1,157,963 I I I 3 prising a casing and a rotonjournaled in open said switch in one direction of rotation 1 said casing, a swltch in vthe clrcuit of said of the motor. Y motor comprising a, fixed contact supported e In Witness whereof, I have hereunto. set

' on said casing and a. movable contact assomy hand this 8th day of Dec, 1914:.

ciated with the fixed contact, said movablecontact being rotatably mounted. concentri- EDWARD T. s-HAW; cally With said rotor, a ratchet attached to Witnesses:

said movable contact, and paWls carried by A. R. NUGENT,

said rotor. adapted to engage saidratchet to' i O; L. READ.v

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five centseaeh, by addressing the Commissioner" of Patents:

Washington, D. 0. 

